Self versus Duty
‘A Farewell to Arms’ is a story about World War I, particularly the experiences of an ambulance driver deployed to the Italian Army. Ernest Hemingway describes the experiences of Henry Fredrick, the protagonist of the book, including his work and romantic encounters. One major theme that comes out in the book is the dilemma of self versus duty. In his time at the front, Henry is at crossroads to fulfill his desires or remain loyal to the Italian army. Evident from the title, Henry finally disserts the Italian military and set out on a mission to seek self-fulfillment by going after Catherine, the woman he loves. This essay will analyze the theme of self versus duty; discussing how Henry bade a farewell to arms after a long time in the army.
Throughout the book, Henry shows signs of non-commitment to the war. His loyalty to the Italian army is continuously questioned by people who wonder what an American is doing in the Italian army. For lack of a better answer, Henry tells the head nurse at the hospital in Gorizia that she joined the Italian army because the Italian language is a beautiful language (chapter 5). As such, Henry does not have a reason for serving in the Italian military; instead, it seems like a lack of choice that devotion to Italy.
Also, Henry gets injured when going to get food when his comrades are fighting. It is evident that Henry cares more for himself rather than his duty as an ambulance driver. Although they are in the battle, Henry only thinks of how hungry he feels and proceeds to get food despite the warning not to go out. In the process, Henry gets injured in an explosion. Later in the hospital, when Rinaldi visits him, Henry confesses that he was wounded when going to get food and that he was not a hero (chapter 10). Therefore, Henry was more focused on fulfilling his needs before performing his duty.
During the Italian retreat, Henry shoots at sergeants who refuse to help the ambulance drivers. Henry expected the two sergeants to help the push the car out of the mud since they were Italians. However, the two sergeants refuse to help despite being ordered by Henry (Chapter 29). In a moment of fury, Henry pulls out his pistol and shoots at them and injures one of them. The shooting incidence goes to prove that Henry felt agitated that Italians did not feel obligated to fight in their war, yet he, an American, was struggling in the same battle. By shooting at the Italian sergeants, Henry betrayed the Italian Army, once again choosing himself over his duty.
Henry eventually chooses self over duty when he decides to desert the war and goes after Catherine, the woman he loved. After feeling betrayed by the Italian military police; Henry runs away to America to look for Catherine. Henry even puts on civilian clothes to avoid getting spotted (chapter 33). The decision to abandon his duty gets brought out when Henry escapes to Switzerland and settles with Catherine.
In conclusion, it is evident that Henry is non-committed to the war. The cause of the war and the motivation to fight remains vague throughout the war. The lack of motivation makes Henry choose his desires over his duty as an ambulance driver. Henry prefers to run away to a foreign country with his lover to serving a war that does not interest him.
Work Cited
Hemingway, Ernest. A farewell to arms: The Hemingway library edition. Simon and Schuster, 2012.